Amazon to Adapt Agatha Christie Novels as TV Series

Multi-show deal will begin with “Ordeal By Innocence”

It’s no mystery: Amazon is getting into the Agatha Christie business.

The streaming service has added a series of adaptations from Agatha Christie Limited to its lineup of original dramas. The U.S. partnership will kick off with “Ordeal By Innocence,” which is already in production across the pond, and stars Bill Nighy, Alice Eve, Ella Purnell, Matthew Goode, Catherine Keener, Ed Westwick, Luke Treadaway, Eleanor Tomlinson and Morven Christie.

In “Ordeal By Innocence,” old wounds are reopened for the Argyll family when a man suddenly turns up and claims that the black sheep of the family, Jack Argyll, could not have murdered its tyrannical matriarch — for which he was accused just one year earlier, per Amazon. The family must come to terms with Jack’s innocence and with the fact that one of them may be the real murderer.

“We are thrilled to bring to our slate these adaptations from the world’s greatest mystery writer,” said Morgan Wandell, head of International Series, Amazon Studios. “With terrific talent, in front of and behind the camera, they are sure to delight our customers.”

“We are delighted to be working with Amazon in the TV space. They have obviously played a massive part in our book business over the past few years, and it is exciting to move with them onto Prime Video in the U.S.,” said James Prichard, chairman and CEO of Agatha Christie Limited.

“The brand of Agatha Christie resonates around the world,” added WME | IMG partner Chris Rice. “We couldn’t be happier to have Amazon as our U.S. home for this franchise. We think the series of specials will attract great auteurs and actors to create compelling content for audiences everywhere.”

Amazon’s deal with Agatha Christie Limited continues its partnership with production company Mammoth Screen, a deal brokered by WME.

“Ordeal By Innocence” reunites both Agatha Christie Limited and Mammoth Screen with writer and executive producer Sarah Phelps. The two teamed up on “And Then There Were None” in 2015 and “The Witness for the Prosecution” the following year.

While Amazon carries the stateside streaming rights, IMG will handle international distribution.

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